In 1999, teenage Celeste (Raffey Cassidy) survives a violent high-school shooting. After singing at a memorial service, she transforms into a burgeoning pop star with the help of her songwriter sister (Stacy Martin) and talent manager (Jude Law). Celeste’s meteoric rise to fame and concurrent loss of innocence dovetails with a shattering terrorist attack on the nation, elevating the young powerhouse to a new kind of celebrity: American icon and global superstar. 

By 2017, adult Celeste (Portman) is mounting a comeback after a scandalous incident that derailed her career. Touring in support of her sixth album, the indomitable, foul-mouthed pop saviour must overcome her personal and familial struggles to navigate motherhood, madness and monolithic fame in the Age of Terror. 

Corbet’s follow-up to his striking debut The Childhood of a Leader is a timely and unique examination of modern celebrity, featuring new songs by Sia and an original score by Scott Walker.